Staff Systems Admin -- JBG
Job Title: Staff Systems Administrator
About Shield AI:
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company committed to protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Our innovative products, such as Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and advanced simulation technologies, support global operations from our offices in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.shield.ai.
Job Description:
As a Staff Systems Administrator, you will serve as a technical leader, responsible for designing, configuring, deploying, and maintaining robust IT infrastructure in support of Shield AI’s critical defense technology programs. You will ensure system reliability, security, and performance across a range of environments, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support mission-critical applications and development operations.
What You’ll Do:
Lead installation, configuration, monitoring, and maintenance of servers, network, and software systems (on-premises and cloud).
Manage virtualization environments, containerized deployments (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), and associated storage solutions.
Enforce information security protocols, implement access controls, and ensure compliance with company and defense industry cybersecurity standards.
Automate infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and remediation workflows.
Develop and maintain detailed documentation for systems architectures, configurations, and procedures.
Troubleshoot technical issues and drive incident response, root cause analysis, and resolution.
Optimize network performance and system scalability.
Collaborate with engineering, cybersecurity, and DevOps teams to support software deployment pipelines.
Provide technical mentoring and knowledge transfer to IT colleagues.
Support the integration of new tools and technologies into Shield AI’s infrastructure.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
5+ years of professional systems administration experience in complex, mission-critical environments.
Strong expertise with Linux/Unix administration, Windows Server, networking, and virtualization (e.g., VMware, KVM).
Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and hybrid environments.
Proficiency in scripting and automation (Bash, Python, Ansible, or similar).
Working knowledge of cybersecurity standards and best practices.
Experience implementing and managing containerization platforms (Docker, Kubernetes).
Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
Excellent communication, teamwork, and documentation abilities.
Ability to obtain and maintain applicable government security clearances as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Industry certifications such as RHCE, AWS Solutions Architect, CCNP, CISSP, or similar.
Experience supporting defense industry or highly regulated environments.
Familiarity with DevOps tools and Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible).
Experience with backup/disaster recovery, monitoring solutions, and high-availability architectures.
Why Shield AI:
Competitive salary with annual bonus potential
Equity and comprehensive benefits package
Mission-driven work in support of national security and innovation
Inclusive, collaborative team culture
Shield AI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations as needed during the application process.